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An Engineering Bridge Program: Improving the Success Rate of Under-Prepared Students in Engineering

Abstract

In 2003, the College of Engineering at Wayne State recognized that a large proportion of its students entered the engineering program with placement into beginning or intermediate algebra. This is, in part, a result of the University’s mission to be an institution of opportunity – providing access to all academically qualified students. Only a small group of these incoming students remained in the College of Engineering after 4 years. As a result, an Engineering Bridge Program was developed with the dual objective of: 1) providing students with the appropriate foundation in math and science to succeed in engineering; and 2) retaining students at the University, even if they opted to transfer out of the College.

The academic-year program was implemented in the Fall of 2004 and included both foundational skills in academics and “survival skills” for university and engineering study. The first cohort has now completed up to two years at Wayne State. The retention rate (within the University) and performance of freshmen within this group has been compared to a similar cohort that entered the College of Engineering in the Fall of 1999 and also placed into these lower level courses. The two-year retention rate for the Engineering Bridge students increased substantially compared to the 1999 cohort, from 53% to 62%.

After two years, the effect of this program on retention is promising. The Fall 2006 program has been enhanced and is anticipated to further increase continued enrollment. Assessment of the program will be ongoing, focusing on retention and academic performance.

Introduction

As the economy changes and more emphasis is placed on jobs in technology-related industries, it falls to the higher education system to prepare students for careers in these fields. Many colleges of engineering, especially those with an urban mission, have recognized that a poor preparation in math and science reduces their students’ chance for success in an undergraduate engineering program. However, for many students it is lack of opportunity – rather than lack of ability – that is the reason behind low math placement and substandard ACT or SAT scores.

Ideally, improving the preparation of students should be a joint project between universities and K-12 educators. However, this partnership can be complicated by the large number and diversity of the school districts from which a university attracts students. Therefore, the development of programs to meet the needs of all students interested in pursuing engineering, irrespective of the preparation they were able to obtain in high school, is imperative if colleges are to meet the educational needs of students and the educational goals of the community.

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Grimm, M. (2007, June), An Engineering Bridge Program: Improving The Success Rate Of Underprepared Students In Engineering Paper presented at 2007 Annual Conference & Exposition, Honolulu, Hawaii. 10.18260/1-2--2317